Continuous envelope stripper



Nov. 22, 1960 H. M. WHITMAN CONTINUOUS ENVELOPE STRIPPER 3 sheets sheet 1 Filed Dec. 10, 1956 i -Ilia ,4

INVENTOR. H. M. WHITMAN BY 7r" ATTORNEY NOV. 22, 1960 wHlTMAN 2,961,136

CONTINUOUS ENVELOPE STRIPPER Filed Dec. 10, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. H.M. WHITMAN Nov. 22, 1960 H. M. WHITMAN commuous ENVELOPE STRIPPER INVENTQR H. M. WH ITM AN ATTORNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 10, 195

nited CONTINUOUS ENVELOPE STRIPPER Filed Dec. 10, 1956, Ser. No. 627,214

8 Claims. (Cl. 225-97) The invention relates to a device or machine for stripping a succession of envelopes from a backing sheet on which they are mounted closely adjacent each other and with the sealing flap of one envelope positioned below the body of the envelope immediately trailing it.

More particularly the invention relates to a device for stripping envelopes from the backing sheet to which they are attached that may have hand-operated feeding rolls for advancing the sheet with the envelopes thereon past laterally adjusted stripping blades above the backing strip or sheet and disposed below the envelopes, these blades serving to sever the envelopes from laterally extending tabs or flaps on the envelope glued or otherwise fastened to the backing strip.

A feature of importance of the invention is that the stripping members for severing the envelopes from the backing sheet are mounted on a laterally extending bar on which they may be laterally adjusted to engage the envelopes below the opposite ends of envelopes of different widths, the engagement of the stripping members with the envelopes being stripped being closely adjacent the tabs or lateral flaps on the envelopes by which the envelopes are attached to the backing sheet.

Another feature of advantage of the invention is that the blades or strippers for severing the envelopes are loosely mounted for limited movements on supporting .members riding over the backing sheet and tabs, the strippers being disposed directly below their supporting members.

Another object of the invention is that feed rolls are mounted on the device, one of which may be rotated by hand or power, and the other resiliently mounted above the rotated roll to frictionally engage the opposite surface of the backing sheet and force the backing sheet and envelopes past the strippers.

And finally, it is an object of the invention to provide stacking or grouping means for the envelopes after they have been stripped from their backing sheet, so that the envelopes will be closely compacted for easy removal from the device in groups and the backing sheet ad 'vanced beyond the machine.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention :may include the features of construction and operation :set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings annexed hereto and forming a part of this specification, I have shown the invention embodied in a stripping and stacking device for envelopes positioned closely adjacent each other on a backing sheet and attached thereto by laterally extending tabs or flaps formed on the envelopes, but it will be understood that the invention can be otherwise embodied and that the drawings are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims appended to this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a complete device made in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1 as seen from the operating end of the device but without the envelopes or their backing sheet;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the stripping means and the operating or feeding means for the envelopes and backing sheet, intermediate portions of the device being broken away;

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view showing the relationship of the stripping means and an envelope being stripped from the backing sheet; and

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the envelope stacking means.

In the above-mentioned drawings, there has been shown but one embodiment of the invention which is now deemed preferable, but it is to be understood that changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The envelopes adapted to be stripped from the backing sheet or strip are similar to those shown in my Patent 2,723,077, granted November 8, 1955. As shown in the above mentioned patent, the envelopes in addition to having the usual flaps have supplemental lateral tabs or flaps at their opposite ends. These tabs serve to attach the envelopes to the backing sheet by being gummed thereto. Between the body of an envelope and its lateral or supplemental flaps are lines of perforation to facilitate the severing operation. With the envelopes mounted as shown on their backing sheet, they may be printed and addressed by highly automatic standard motor driven ofiice equipment.

Referring more in detail to the figures of the drawings and first to Fig. 1, it will be seen that envelopes 10 mounted closely adjacent each other on a backing sheet 12 are being pulled by their backing sheet between feeding rolls 14 and 16. The lower of the feeding rolls 14 may be rotated by a hand wheel 18 at one end of the shaft on which the roller 14 is mounted. The upper roller 16 is pressed downward by suitable springs 20 to firmly and resiliently press against the central portion of the upper surface of the backing sheet 12 to form traction for the backing sheet and envelopes. The feeding rolls 14 and 16 preferably are mounted as shown within a suitable housing or frame 22 secured to the base 24 adjacent one end of the device.

The rolls 14 and 16 and the housing or stand 22 are disposed transversely on the base 24- adjacent one end thereof so that the baeking sheet 12 and envelopes 10 thereon are pulled by rotation of the rolls 14 and 16 longitudinally of the device so that the backing sheet 12 will be moved along a predetermined feed path deifined by the base 24,

Also mounted on the base 24 is a transverse bar 30 below which the envelopes 10 and backing sheet 12 pass. On this bar 30 are laterally adjustable members 32 positioned to permit the backing sheet 12 and envelopes 10 to pass between them. These members 32 may be clamped in position by clamping screws 33. These lat ter members 32 may be secured in any adjusted position along the bar 30 to adjoin the lateral edges of the envelopes 10 which may be of any width. In their adjusted positions the members 32 serve to guide the movement of the envelopes and back member through the device.

The transverse bar 30 is secured to the base member 24 as by means of screws 34 or other fastening means so that it will be retained slightly above the surface of the base but sufiiciently far enough to permit lateral adjusting movement of the members 32 below it.

above the base member 24-permitting the envelopes and.

backing sheet to pass thereunder.

A blade 40 loosely pivoted to each of the laterally adjusted members 36 extends laterally inwardly from the members 36 and passes below the envelopes closely adjacent their lateral flaps.- As the envelopes are advanced by rotation of rolls 14- and 16, the envelopes are separated from their lateral flaps along their line of perforations To pivotally mount the blade members 49 in their supporting members 36 vertical rods 42 are pro.- vided loosely mounted within openings in the members 36. 7 These rods 42 may form parts of the blade members and may be fixedly secured thereto. The pivots formed by the rods permit limited pivotal or angular movement of theblades 46. By mounting the blades 40 by means of loosely fitting pivots, limited free movement-of the blades is permitted so that they may properly adjust themselves into severing positions. Continued rotation-of the rolls 14 and 16 continues the advancing movement of the backing sheets 12 and the flaps 37 after being separated from their envelopes 10. The separated envelopes 10 are as shown in Fig. 1 advanced into stacked position against the stacking member 46. Inorder to stack the envelopes 10 a frame member 46 of sheet metal, having an inclined surface, is mounted between the transverse rod 3% for the blades 46 and the stand 22 for the feed rolls 14 and 16. A rod 48 secured to member 46 is slidably secured to the stand 22 to sup port the upper portion of the stacking member 46 and to position the member 46 at any distance from the rod 30. Horizontal flexible metal strips 50 secured to slidable member 51 may extend from the stacking member 46to limit the piling of the separated envelopes. Also a flexible metal strip 52 may extend from the rod 30 to permit close grouping of the envelopes. The stack ing member 46 as shown in Fig. 2 may be secured at its lower edge to a transversely extending member 47 which may ride on the base 24. Also, the slidable member 51- for the strips 50 may be adjusted for the particular sizes of envelopes being stripped and be clamped in adjustedposition by clamping screw 53. From the above it will be seen that the envelopes 10 while attached to their backing sheet or strip 12 by their laterally extending flaps 37 are pulled past the blades 40, By the blades 49 the envelopes are separated from their supplemental or laterally extending flaps 37 and backing sheet 12. The envelopes 10 are then as shown in Fig. l grouped closely together against the stacking frame 46 from which they may be conveniently removed by hand in groups. The backing sheet 12, with the supplemental flaps 37 severed from the envelopes 16 but still attached to the backing sheet 12, continues to advance and passes under a guide bar 54 and between the rolls 14 and 16. Preferably a second guide bar 56 is provided under which the backing sheet passes after leaving the rolls and then passes from the machine.

:Iclaim as my invention:

lJA devicefor stripping envelopes from a backing sheet to which the envelopes are attached by lateral flaps extending at the sides of the envelopes, said device comprising, in combination: a base defining a predetermined feed path; feed roll means mounted on said base for advancing the sheet and envelopes along said feed path; a pair of members mounted on said base and arranged alongsaid feed path, said members being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to that which the lateral flaps of the envelopes are spaced apart and being spaced from said base a distance sufiicient to allow the passage of the sheet and flaps through the gap formed between said base and said members; and blade means mounted on said members and disposed in said gap so as to pass between the envelopes and the sheet, whereby as the sheet and envelopes are advanced along said feed path, said blade means sever the envelopes from the flaps.

2. A device for stripping envelopes from a backing sheet to which the envelopes are attached by lateral flaps extending at the sides of the envelopes, said device comprising, in combination: a base defining a predetermined feed path; feed roll meansmounted on saidbase for advancing the sheet and envelopes along said feed path; a pair of membersmounted on said base and arranged along said feed path, said members being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to that which the lateral flaps of the envelopes are spaced apart and being spaced from said base a distance sufiicient to allow the passage of the sheet and flaps through the gap formed between said base and said members; and blade means mounted for free limited movement on said members and. disposed in said gap so as to pass between the envelopes and the sheet, whereby as the sheet and envelopes are advanced along said feed path, said blade means sever the envelopes from the flaps.

3. A device for stripping envelopes from a backing sheet to which the envelopes are attached by lateral flaps extending at the sides of the envelopes, said device comprising, in combination: a base defining a predetermined feed path; feed roll means mounted on said base for advancing the sheet and envelopes along said feed path; a pair of members mounted on said base and arranged along said feed path, said members being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to that which the lateral fiaps of the envelopes are spaced apart and being spaced from said base a distance sufficient to allow the passage of the sheet and flaps through the gap formed between saidbase and said members; and blade means pivotally mounted on said members and disposed in said gap so as to pass between the envelopes and the sheet, whereby as the sheet and envelopes are advanced along said feed path, said blade means sever the envelopes from the flaps.

4. A device for stripping envelopes from a backing sheet to which the envelopes are attached by lateral flaps extending at the sides of the envelopes, said device comprising, in combination: a'base defining a predetermined feed path; feed roll means mounted on said base for advancing the sheet and envelopes along said feed path; a pair of members mounted on, said base and arranged along said feed path, said members being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to that which the lateral flaps of the envelopes are spaced apart and being spaced from said base a distance suflicient to allow the passage of the sheet and'flaps through the gap formed between said base and said members, said members being transversely adjustable so that the spacing between them may be varied to accommodate envelopes of different widths; and blade means mounted on said members and disposed in said gap so as to pass between the'envelopes and the sheet, whereby as the sheet and envelopes are advanced along said feed path, said blade means sever the envelopes from the flaps.

5. A device for stripping envelopes from a backing sheet to which the envelopes are attached by lateral flaps extending at the sides of the envelopes, said device comprising, in combination: a base defining a predetermined feed path; feed roll means mounted on said base for advancing the sheet and envelopes along said feed path; a pair of members mounted on said base and arranged along said feed path, saidmembers being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to that which the lateral flaps of the envelopes are spaced apart and being spaced from said base a distance sufiicient to allow the passage of the sheet and flaps through the gap formed between said base and said members; blade means mounted for free limited movement on said members and disposed in said gap so as to pass between the envelopes and the sheet, whereby as the sheet and enve lopes are advanced along said feed path, said blade means sever the envelopes from the fiaps; and stacking means mounted on said base and arranged in said feed path at a point subsequent to said members and blade means for stacking the envelopes after the same have been severed from the sheet.

6. A device for stripping envelopes from a backing sheet to which the envelopes are attached by lateral flaps extending at the sides of the envelopes, said device comprising, in combination: a base defining a predetermined feed path; feed roll means mounted on said base for advancing the sheet and envelopes along said feed path; a pair of members mounted on said base and arranged along said feed path, said members being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to that which the lateral flaps of the envelopes are spaced apart and being spaced from said base a distance sutficient to allow the passage of the sheet and flaps through the gap formed between said base and said members; blade means mounted for free limited movement on said members and disposed in said gap so as to pass between the envelopes and the sheet, whereby as the sheet and envelopes are advanced along said feed path, said blade means sever the envelopes from the flaps; and stacking means mounted on said base and arranged in said feed path at a point subsequent to said members and blade means for stacking the envelopes after the same have been severed from the sheet, said stacking means comprising a member so arranged as to pass between the sheet and the severed envelopes, said member having an inclined surface and being mounted for adjustment in the direction of the feed path for movement relative to said point.

7. A device for stripping envelopes from a backing sheet to which the envelopes are attached by lateral flaps extending at the sides of the envelopes, said device comprising, in combination: a base defining a predetermined feed path; feed roll means mounted on said base for advancing the sheet and envelopes along said feed path; a pair of members mounted on said base and arranged along said feed path, said members being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to that which the lateral flaps of the envelopes are spaced apart and being spaced from said base a distance suflicient to allow the passage of the sheet and flaps through the gap formed between said base and said members; and blade means mounted on said members and disposed in said gap so as to pass between the envelopes and the sheets, said blade means comprising two blades arranged near said pair of members, respectively, whereby as the sheet and envelopes are advanced along said feed path, said blade means sever the envelopes from the flaps.

8. A device for stripping a series of envelopes from a backing strip to which the envelopes are attached by lateral supplementary flaps extending at the sides of the envelopes, said device comprising, in combination: a base defining a predetermined feed path; feed roll means mounted on said base for advancing the strip and envelopes along said feed path, a pair of members mounted on said base and arranged along said feed path, said members being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to that which the supplementary flaps of the envelopes are spaced apart and being spaced from said base a distance sufiicient to allow the passage of the strip and flaps through the gap formed between the base and said members; and blade means mounted on said members and disposed in said gap so as to pass between the envelopes and the strip, whereby as the strip and envelopes are advanced along said feed path, said blade means sever the envelopes from the supplementary flaps.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,553,277 Watts Sept. 8, 1925 1,998,357 Carlson Apr. 16, 1935 2,156,419 Zomnir May 2, 1939 2,322,030 Kressler June 15, 1943 2,513,093 Hageman June 27, 1950 2,723,077 Whitman Nov. 8, 1955 

